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Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle on the International Day against Nuclear Tests (29 August 2013)

Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle on the International Day against Nuclear Tests (29 August 2013)

29.08.2013 - Press release

On the International Day against Nuclear Tests (29 August 2013) Foreign Minister Westerwelle issued the following statement:

“Germany actively supports a global ban on nuclear testing. To date over 2000 nuclear weapons tests have been carried out. A comprehensive treaty banning nuclear weapons testing would be an important step forward on the path to a world free from nuclear weapons.Progress in the field of disarmament and arms control will not be achieved over night, yet in this age of globalisation it is indispensable for stronger peace and security.”

Background:

The International Day against Nuclear Tests was created by the United Nations in 2009. Together with European partners and within the framework of the Non‑Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), founded in 2010, Germany is actively campaigning for the treaty’s entry into force, above all in the eight states which have yet to ratify (China, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the US) or sign (India, Pakistan and North Korea) the treaty.

As a steadfast supporter of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)Germanywas invited to join the “Friends of the CTBT” in May 2013.

Germanyis the third‑largest donor to the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), headquartered inVienna. The CTBTO’s monitoring stations played a key role in exposing North Korean nuclear testing. Although the Test Ban Treaty is not yet in force, the verification system functions reliably, not least thanks to German contributions.